Thursday, September 17, 2015

Shelter Valley Stories

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.



Becca's Baby

(Shelter Valley Stories, #1)
by Tara Taylor Quinn
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 297 pages
February 15th 2002 by Harlequin Books
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Meet Will and Becca Parsons, who ve lived in Shelter Valley, Arizona, all their lives. Shelter Valley means everything to them. Home. Family. Security. Love. Everything that matters is right there in that town.

Will and Becca have been married for 20 years. It s a good marriage a contented marriage marred by only one disappointment: their inability to have children. But their dream of a baby has gradually been replaced by other interests, other goals.

In any case, Will and Becca are in their 40s now.

It s too late for babies.

Except it s not. Because Becca s pregnant. And that reality throws their carefully ordered lives into complete disarray.

A baby after all these years.





My Sister, Myself
(Shelter Valley Stories, #2)
by Tara Taylor Quinn
Adult Contemporary Romance, Suspense
Paperback & ebook, 304 pages
May 31st 2002 by Harlequin Books
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She's not who she says she is! Tory Evans is living her sister's life. Christine is dead, murdered by Tory's vengeful ex-husband, and now - for her own survival - Tory has taken on Christine's identity. Her name, her job, her new home in Shelter Valley, Arizona.

He's reinventing his life. Ben Sanders is a divorced father who's come to Shelter Valley to resume the education that was interrupted years before. He's intrigued by one of his professors, the woman he knows as Christine Evans. She's smart, she's beautiful - and she's hiding something. She's also off-limits.

Despite that, despite the secrecy and the danger, Tory and Ben are drawn to each other. Second chances really do exist. Especially in a place like Shelter Valley...




White Picket Fences
(Shelter Valley Stories, #3)
by Tara Taylor Quinn
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 298 pages
June 21st 2002 by Harlequin Books
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What's missing in Miranda Parson's life? Nothing, she thinks--until she meets handsome, caring veterinarian Zack Foster and discovers an intense desire that shakes her safe and familiar world. Trouble is, a heart-weary Zack prefers his romances short and sweet and isn't looking for commitment to any woman. Yet the longing that ignited between them couldn't be resisted for long. But for true love there needs to be true risk--so will Zack and Miranda's quiet lives ever be the same again...?

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin


Guest Post!


I value friendship – most particularly friendships between adult women – as one of the most valuable privileges life has to offer. It’s funny because I don’t have a lot of friendships. I never have had. I was the girl who sat home alone with a Harlequin Romance on Friday nights during high school. I never went to a prom. Never went on one date during high school.

I always thought my aloneness was, well, first, because I loved books better than hanging out with immature guys around. But mostly it was because my best friend lived states away from me. We’d been best friends since she was five and I was six. She was magic, pure and simple. She got me and it always felt like no one else did.

Something I’ve realized, though, is that what she gave me was the deep rooted knowledge that there is this thing called friendship. It exists. And it’s for everyone and anyone open to it. As women that living and breathing entity – friendship – is there to sustain us through all that life throws at us. Our friends are our strength, our cheerleaders, our butt kickers, our believers…our magic. They understand us. And they are souls we can understand.

I had my 70th novel published this summer. And as I took a look back at two decades of work, I noticed something. Though a lot of my books are romances, telling of the great love between men and women, there is a thread of friendship that has always been there. This came through in all fourteen of the Shelter Valley Stories, though I didn’t know it. Or consciously see it there. But this summer my editor and I were talking about the books and there it was. I’d dubbed it the Shelter Valley heroines club in my mind. In the books, it’s a group of women – all of whom have their own books – who are friends and see each other through all of life’s ups and downs. It’s about acceptance. Forgiveness. And about butt kicking, too. The club is open to newcomers. It’s there for you – the reader. There to give you strength, hope, and acceptance as you find bits of yourself in their stories. It’s there for you to share with your friends.

And if you want to be friends…I’ve started a Friendship board on Pinterest. It’s an open board. Anyone can follow to post. The only caveat – it’s only about friendship. No sales. No causes – no matter how worthy. It’s just a feel good place for a friendship fix. We post personal pictures of us with our friends, pictures of celebrity friends, and lots and lots of friendship quotes. Sometimes we post good morning hugs. We’ve got over 1200 pinners – adding an average of 300 a month – and thousands of pins. That’s a lot of friendship. We’d love to have you join us at: https://www.pinterest.com/tarataylorquinn/friendship/






For a Limited Time! Grab all three books on sale!





The author of more than 70 original novels, in twenty languages, Tara Taylor Quinn is a USA Today bestseller with over six million copies sold. She is known for delivering deeply emotional and psychologically astute novels of suspense and romance. Tara is a recipient of the Reader’s Choice Award, a five time finalist for the RWA Rita Award, the Reviewer’s Choice Award, the Bookseller’s Best Award and appears frequently on bestseller lists, including #1 placement on Amazon lists. Tara is the past-president of Romance Writers of America and served eight years on that board of directors. She has appeared on national and local TV across the country, including CBS Sunday Morning and is a frequent guest speaker. In her spare time Tara likes to travel, climb Arizona mountains, and inline skate.

Tara is a supporter of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you or someone you know might be a victim of domestic violence in the United States, please contact 1-800-799-7233. 


Tour Schedule
September 13th: Launch
September 15th: Mythical Books & Mel's Shelves
September 16th: Teatime and Books & deal sharing aunt
September 20th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

GRAND PRIZE (to one winner):  An eBook set of books 5 through 14 of the Shelter Valley Stories (Just Around the Corner, Born In the Valley, Sheriff of Shelter Valley, Nothing Sacred, Somebody’s Baby, Sophie’s Secret, Full Contact, It’s Never Too Late, Second Time’s the Charm, and The Moment of Truth) - INT
Print books of the last three books in the Shelter Valley Stories (The Shelter Valley Scholarship books: It’s Never Too Late, Second Time’s the Charm, and The Moment of Truth) - US only to one winner
e-book set of Born in the Valley and Sheriff of Shelter Valley – INT to one winner
Ends September 25th



Wednesday, September 16, 2015

GRAND FINALE BLITZ: The Fantasy Prism Tour

On tour with Prism Book Tours.


It's the Fantasy Prism Tour Grand Finale for
Spindle
By W.R. Gingell

Servant of the Crown
By Melissa McShane
The Frey Saga
By Melissa Wright


If you love fantasy, we hope you enjoyed the exclusive content shared on the tour. 
If you didn't get a chance to check out each book and their stops now...




SpindleSpindle
by W.R. Gingell

NA Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 300 Pages
August 10th 2015




She’s not a princess . . . but then, he’s no prince.


Polyhymnia is deep in enchanted sleep. High in a tower, behind an impenetrable barrier of magical thorns, she sleeps, dreams, and falls ever deeper into her curse.



Woken by a kiss, Poly finds herself in an alien world where three hundred years have passed and everyone she has ever known is dead. Luck, the enchanter who woke her, seems to think she is the princess. Understandable, since he found her asleep on the princess’ bed, in the royal suite, and dressed in the princess’ clothes.



Who cursed Poly? Why is someone trying to kill her and Luck? Why can’t she stop falling asleep?



And why does her hair keep growing?



Sometimes breaking the curse is just the beginning of the journey.





"What If..." Guest Post @ Mythical Books


With Spindle my what if? was what if Sleeping Beauty wasn’t actually the princess? From that first little seedling of what if? I also ended up with what if she slept for more than three hundred years instead of one hundred? I was fascinated with the thought of how much life would have changed for her. Language would have evolved and passed her by, her loved ones and family would almost certainly be dead, and both the political and social aspects of life would have changed completely.




More at Mythical Books.


W.R. Gingell



W.R. Gingell is a Tasmanian author who lives in a house with a green door. She spends her time reading, drinking an inordinate amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.

Website - Goodreads - Twitter


Servant of the CrownServant of the Crown
(The Crown of Tremontane, #1)
by Melissa McShane
Adult Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 405 Pages
July 15th 2015 by Night Harbor Publishing

Alison Quinn, Countess of Waxwold, is content with her bookish life—until she’s summoned to be a lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Tremontane’s mother for six months. Even the prospect of access to the Royal Library doesn’t seem enough to make up for her sacrifice, but Alison is prepared to do her service to the Crown. What she’s not prepared for is Prince Anthony North, Queen Zara’s playboy brother, who’s accustomed to getting what he wants—including the Countess of Waxwold.

When the fallout from an unfortunate public encounter throws the two of them together, Alison has no interest in becoming the Prince’s next conquest. But as the weeks pass, Alison discovers there’s more to Anthony than she—or he—realized, and their dislike becomes friendship, and then something more—until disaster drives Alison away, swearing never to return.

Then Alison is summoned by the Queen again, this time to serve as Royal Librarian. A threat to Tremontane’s government, with her treasured Library at stake, draws Alison into the conflict…and into contact with Anthony once more. Can they work together to save the Royal Library and Tremontane? And can she open her heart to love again?



Exclusive Excerpt @ Brooke Blogs


"Without thinking, Alison whipped her hand out of his grasp and brought it around hard to slap the Prince’s face. The sound of her bare palm striking his cheek carried unnaturally far in the crowded, overfull ballroom. The dancers nearest them stopped to stare, and their stillness spread outward until half the floor was occupied by unmoving figures. The music went ragged and then stumbled to a halt. The Prince stood with his hand pressed to his cheek, his eyes wide and unblinking in surprise. Alison felt her breath coming in short, quick pants that left her dizzy..."



More at Brooke Blogs.


Melissa McShane

Melissa McShane grew up a nomad, following her family all over the United States, and ended up living in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains with her husband, four kids, and three very needy cats. Her love of reading was always a constant during those uncertain years, and her love of writing grew out of that. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, and was surprised at how much she liked it. She loves the fantasy genre and how it stretches the imagination.




The Frey SagaThe Frey Saga
by Melissa Wright

YA/NA Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 779 pages

February 1st 2013


This collection includes The Frey Saga Book I: Frey, Book II: Pieces of Eight, the short story Molly, and Book III: Rise of the Seven.



Unaware she's been bound from using magic, Frey leads a small, miserable life in the village where she's sent after the death of her mother. But a tiny spark ignites a fury of changes and she's suddenly being hunted by council and forced to rely on strangers for protection. But the farther she strays from home, the more her magic and forgotten memories return and she starts to suspect the band of strangers are not what they seem. They help her find her rightful place and destroy the bonds, but securing her future might be more than she can do with magic alone.




Exclusive Excerpt of book I, Frey, & Sneak Peek of book IV, Venom and Steel @ Beck Valley Books

    "The library was chaos. Books and pages, precious scrolls and ancient casting ledgers strewn over the wood plank floor. I’d never seen this room molested by their madness and the shock of it had me stumbling to a standstill. They had lost all regard for it, broken their own rules. They were a wild people, but they did have at least some barriers.
    If there was one thing the fey respected, it was knowledge."


Melissa Wright is the author of the Frey Saga and Descendants Series. She is currently working on the next book, but when not writing can be found collecting the things she loves at Goodreads and Pinterest.





Tour Giveaway


$30 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Signed copy of Spindle (Us only)

Print copy of Servant of the Crown (US only)

Ebook of The Frey Saga (INT)
Ends September 18th



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Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Surge (The Taking 0.5) by Melissa West: A Cover Reveal



Surge (The Taking 0.5)
by Melissa West
Release Date: 04/05/16
Entangled Teen


Summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old alien Val Stone was born for one mission-kill teenage Randolf "Rolf" Cartier before he fulfills the prophecy, becomes the future American president, and murderers thousands of her kind.

Val is ready to sacrifice herself for the good of the prophecy. She's learned every detail of Rolf's life. She knows when he wakes, each step he takes throughout his day, and the exact time when he falls asleep. She's prepared to strike.

But what she doesn't know is that Rolf's been watching her, too. Waiting for her. Ready to overpower her and save himself. Only when the day arrives, doubt overcomes purpose, and suddenly they discover the prophecy was all a hoax.

Now they're running against the clock, desperate to reveal who created the fake prophecy before the human killing spree becomes the complete wipeout of the human race.





Books in this series:
(covers linked to Goodreads)







Links to Gravity (Book One):
GoodreadsAmazonB&NKobo Books


Links for Hover (Book Two):
GoodreadsAmazonB&NKobo Books


Links for Collide (Book Three)
GoodreadsAmazonB&NKobo






About the Author

Melissa West lives in a tiny suburb of Atlanta, GA with her husband and daughter. She pretends to like yoga, actually likes to read, and could not live without coffee. She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.



Author Links:


Sweet Mountain Rancher: Book Blitz

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

The Tour Grand Finale for
Sweet Mountain Rancher
By Loree Lough


We hope you enjoyed Loree's tour! If you missed any of the stops, feel free to go back and check them out now...


Launch - Interview


Any parting words?

I hope everyone has enjoyed the summer, and that they’ll have a happy, healthy year-end as well. If you’re so inclined, I’d love for you to connect with on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram!



I Am A Reader - Grandpa's Hands

“They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. And decorated with a gold band to show the world that I’d married the most special woman on earth. They trembled when I walked my daughter down the aisle, and shook when I buried my parents. They’ve helped me hide my face, comb my hair, and cleansed my timeworn body. They’re marked by the ruggedness that has been my life.




“Nate Marshall said I should meet him here at noon. If you’ll just tell me where to find him….”
“I’m Nate,” he said, releasing her hand. “Good to meet you.” He’d said those words to dozens of people on dozens of occasions, but for a reason he couldn’t explain, didn’t think he’d ever meant them more.
Eden tucked her fingertips into the back pockets of her jeans. “I expected you’d be, ah, well, older.” Then she plopped a hand on the nearest teen’s shoulder. “These are my boys,” she said, introducing them one by one.





"The author does a great job with all the characters there are a few but easy to keep up with. I have not read the first book but I have heard a lot about it which helped a little but you won’t be lost. I will get getting more books by this author. A great series."



Colorimetry - Excerpt


The doorbell pealed, and she stepped quietly from the classroom to get rid of whatever salesman had come calling. But instead of a college student selling magazine subscriptions, she found Brett Michaels on the porch. Every nerve prickled with dread as he swaggered into the foyer, but she forced a cheery smile.



Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima - Being a Freelance Writer


Have you ever wondered how freelance writers make a living? By writing to-the-point articles, turning them in on time…and learning how to resell what they’ve submitted, that’s how. Below, a peek at the method I used to rack up more than 2,500 articles under my byline...





"Sit back and enjoy a great read that tells a story of love, romance, friendship, forgiveness, and even a little mystery!"





"Overall, this was a good book and a nice distraction. Even with my Eden frustration. All's well that ends well. :) I'll be looking for the next book in this series!"





"While Eden’s mixed signals toward Nate frustrated me at times, overall I identified too well with her character’s need to take everything on to her own shoulders. To me, the boys and Nate gave this book its heart, and I found it difficult to put down the book once I had started. (Even though this is the second book in a series, I did not feel lost from not having read the first one.)"



beck valley books - Creating a Book Video Trailer


Have you ever wondered how a book’s video trailer is created? Well, I can’t tell you about the dozens of hours that a designer puts in to come up with the final product, but I can share what I do to help make her job a little easier.



Kindle and Me - Excerpt


Did Eden stay in control of her boys with shouts and fist-shaking? Not if those big sincere eyes and the warmth of her pretty smile was any indicator.


“You planning to go back to sucking your thumb, son?”


It took a second to figure out what his dad was talking about. Laughing quietly, Nate put down the butter knife and wiped his hand on a napkin.


“I know that googlie-eyed look,” Hank said, smirking. “I’d bet my Greely Stampede Barrel Champion buckle on it…he was off in Lala Land, dreaming about some woman.”



Dixie n Dottie - Review

"I especially love that Eden has dedicated her life to helping troubled teen boys. She is wonderful at it and is very inspiring!


A very easy read that will stick with you long after you put the book down!"


Sweet Mountain Rancher (Those Marshall Boys, #2)Sweet Mountain Rancher
(Those Marshal Boys, #2)

by Loree Lough

Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 385 pages (large print)

September 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming


HE CAN SAY NO TO EVERYONE BUT HER...



Nate Marshall used to be a yes-man... until being so agreeable cost him dearly. But Eden Quinn has a way of getting him to reconsider his "just say no" policy. Which is how a bunch of troubled teens end up at his ranch for the weekend. Nate can't help but be attracted to the woman who keeps them in line.



This cowboy knows Eden's no damsel in distress, yet hers isn't a one-woman job. If she must do everything on her own, how can he help her... let alone get her to fall for him?



The First Book in the Series


Once a MarineOnce a Marine

(Those Marshal Boys, #1)

by Loree Lough

Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 377 pages (large print)

February 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming


DOES SHE EVEN NEED A HERO?



Summer Lane is no damsel in distress. For the past two years, she's been battling her way back from her worst nightmare, all by herself. So she doesn't need the fabulous former Marine Zach Marshall swooping in to save her.



But she needn't worry. Zach has hung up his shining armor. His instinct to rescue has only brought him heartache, and he's not about to risk it all again--even though everything about Summer makes him yearn to help.



Will she accept his challenge to step up and conquer her fears on her own--even her deepest fears, like trust...and love?



Yes, it's true: Once upon a time, best-selling author Loree Lough (literally) sang for her supper, performing before packed audiences throughout the U.S. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6-string to croon a tune or two for the "grandorables," but mostly, she just writes. (And writes.) Over the years, her stories have earned nearly 100 industry and "Readers' Choice" awards, 7 movie options, and over 80 4- and 5-star reviews.



There are more than 5,000,000 (yes, that's FIVE MILLION) copies of Loree's books in circulation, and in September of 2015, she'll have 108 books (fiction and non-fiction for kids and adults) 72 short stories, 2,500+ articles in print. To date, she has received 50,000+ letters from fans (a carton of books goes to Meredith P. in Joliet, IL -- which she has elected to donate to her local library --for writing the 50,000th letter)!



Loree loves sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry, and her comedic approach makes her a favorite (and frequent) guest of writers' organizations, book clubs, private and government institutions, college and high school writing programs both here and abroad.



A writer who believes in "giving back," Loree dedicates a portion of her income to Soldiers' Angels, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and other worthwhile organizations.



She splits her time between her home in the Baltimore suburbs and a cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, and shares both with her real-life hero Larry, who rarely complains, even when she adds yet another item to her vast collection of lighthouses, wind chimes, and "wolf stuff."


Tour Giveaway



$25 Amazon Gift Card

Print copy of Sweet Mountain Rancher

Kindle copy of Sweet Mountain Rancher (to be gifted through Amazon)

Open internationally

Ends September 12th

a Rafflecopter giveaway



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Tuesday, September 1, 2015

The Foxglove Killings: Release Day Blitz












The Foxglove Killings
by Tara Kelly
Release Date: 09/01/15
Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:


Gramps always said that when the crickets were quiet, something bad was coming. And the crickets have been as silent as the dead. It started with the murdered deer in the playground with the unmistakable purple of a foxglove in its mouth. But in the dying boondock town of Emerald Cove, life goes on.

I work at Gramps's diner, and the cakes―the entitled rich kids who vacation here―make our lives hell. My best friend, Alex Pace, is the one person who gets me. Only Alex has changed. He's almost like a stranger now. I can't figure it out...or why I'm having distinctly more-than-friend feelings for him. Ones I shouldn't be having.

Then one of the cakes disappears.

When she turns up murdered, a foxglove in her mouth, a rumor goes around that Alex was the last person seen with her—and everyone but me believes it. Well, everyone except my worst enemy, Jenika Shaw. When Alex goes missing, it's up to us to prove his innocence and uncover the true killer. But the truth will shatter everything I've ever known about myself—and Alex.







Buy Links:


AmazonBarnes & NobleKobo Books






About the Author

Tara Kelly adores variety in her life. She’s an author, one-girl-band, graphic designer, editor, and photographer. She lives in Sin City with her beloved guitars, sound design master husband, and a fluffy cat named Maestro.

Author Links:






GIVEAWAY:



Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Guardians of the Heart: GRAND FINALE

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

We're sharing the Grand Finale for
Guardians of the Heart
By Loree Lough

Nell and Asa have guarded their hearts, but to let love in, they'll have to let go.
We hope you enjoyed finding out more about their story.

If you didn't get a chance to get to each stop, you can go back and check them out now...

Launch - Author Interview

And how do you develop your deep POV?

I love living in the heads of my characters, and accomplish it (and avoid ‘head hopping’) by writing each scene from a specific character’s point of view. It’s almost as though I take up residence in their brains (like a parasite! LOL). When I’m thinking their thoughts, reacting to what other characters do and say, deep POV is a lot easier.

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"Loree Lough has written this story in an easy to read voice. The pacing is excellent. She kept my attention and I really came to like the characters." 

Worthy2Read - Nonna's Authentic Spaghetti Sauce

As any ‘on a deadline’ author can tell you, we’re really, really good at procrastinating. We tidy drawers, organize closets, poke around in our flower beds. And we cook. One of my favorite recipes was handed down by my Italian grandmother’s family. I hope you’ll enjoy it, too!

Zerina Blossom's Books - They Called Her Shoog Guest Post

The summer I turned ten, a pretty little redheaded girl moved into the house on the corner. Her parents and older siblings called her Shoog…and it was Shoog who introduced the kids on our block to a whole new way to spend our summer days...


"A sweet heartfelt romance that reminds us of the importance of forgiveness – of other people and especially of ourselves. With true, likable characters and a plot brimming with all the great elements of a story, Guardians of the Heart will gently refresh your soul."

Christy's Cozy Corners - A Promise to Jake, Part 1

When a mysterious package arrives shortly before Christmas, a wealthy author is forced to remember what’s truly important about the holy day…and about life.

Writing Pearls - Review

"This was a surprising out of bounds romance. It was clean, well-written, with strong characters that become a part of your reality."


Regrettably, no one was hiring. Few things scared her more than the prospect of being homeless and destitute. Nell sat on the steps of the bank, held her head in her hands and tried to pray. She’d said countless prayers for others—in church, others on her knees before bed—but couldn’t remember the last time she’d prayed for herself. Did she remember how?

Mel's Shelves - Review

"I loved Asa and Nell! Asa puts on a rough front but does care about others while trying not to. He feels guilt for some things he did in the past and needs to learn to forgive himself. Nell was sweet from the beginning! What I loved about this book is that the author didn't just tell me; she showed me."


Oh, what he wouldn’t give to go back in time to the little house on the outskirts of Denver that always smelled of fresh-baked bread, where he’d never gone hungry and never felt cold, thanks to his ma’s talent for turning scraps of cloth into warm quilts.


"I could not put this book down it was wonderful. . . . A nice relaxing read that brings out the love and coziness."

Mommabears Book Blog - A Promise to Jake, Part 2

He stared at the blinking cursor. "I've let you down big time, Jake," he said, eyes on the blank white screen. Maybe telling his friend’s story would ease his conscience. Squaring his shoulders, Homer pulled out the keyboard drawer and gave his knuckles one last crack, and began to type:

Wishful Endings - A Promise to Jake, Part 3

FIVE YEARS LATER:

"Homer, schweetheart," Bobby said, "so what's up with your answering machine? I've been trying to get hold of you for days."

"Don't have one up here." Don't want one, don't need one.

Reading Is My SuperPower - Special Author Interview

Me: You are such a prolific writer! (5,000,000 copies in circulation – 108 books, 72 short stories, and over 2500 articles in print) Where do you get your inspiration for so many new plots and characters?

Loree: Inspiration is everywhere. Literally. I’ve come up with story ideas while reading a dog-eared old magazine in the doctor’s waiting room. At the grocery store. In the movie theater. Here at home, watching the TV news or reading the Sunday paper. Sitting on a bench at the soft ice cream parlor, listening to the conversation of patrons on the next bench. Talking to a neighbor over the back fence. While on hold to make corrections to a DirecTV statement. I could go on (and on!), but I think you get the idea!

Singing Librarian Books - Review (Author Interview here)

"Throughout the novel Loree has brought her characters to life in a true and heartwarming way. I would recommend this novel to Christian, historical fiction, romance readers."

Colorimetry - Excerpt

They carried their bowls to a nearby bench and sat down to enjoy the treat, and Asa realized immediately that they were facing the wrong direction. Fifty yards due north, he had a direct line of sight to where Gus and Nell sat, munching fried chicken, corn bread, and apple slices. Oughta be you sitting there, he thought.

Guardians of the Heart

(Secrets on Sterling Street, #2)

by Loree Lough

Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 272 pages

August 3rd 2015 by Whitaker House


Nell Holstrom wanted no part of her grandfather's barren gold mine that had taken the lives of her mother, father, and younger brother; even if there may still be hidden wealth inside. Instead, she went to Denver and took a job as housekeeper at the old Stone Hill Inn.


Asa Stone was barely more than a boy when his father dragged him and his brothers to fight with Colonel John Chivington. But Asa refused to participate in the raid on the peaceful Cheyenne and Arapahoe; and when the smoke cleared, his father and brother lay among the slaughtered. Besieged by guilt, Asa wandered the West for years before returning to Denver to rebuild the old inn he'd inherited. 

Together, Nell and Asa work hard to restore Stone Hill. But when disaster hits the inn, Asa retreats into despair and Nell is forced to return to her family's mine. Asa faces the hard fact: He'll never be the man Nell deserves. Can he overcome the dark secrets of his past? And will Nell still love him when she learns the truth?



The First Book in the Series


Currency of the Heart

(Secrets on Sterling Street, #1)

by Loree Lough

Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 256 pages

January 1st 2015 by Whitaker House


Young widow Shaina Sterling hates living a lie. Desperate to keep bill collectors from the door, she secretly sells valuable possessions piece by piece, and hopes Denver’s elite never discover that his lavish lifestyle left her a near pauper.



She’s unaware that as her husband lay dying, successful rancher Sloan Remington made him a promise. And Sloan guards her secrets

as carefully as he looks after her safety.



When fire devours Sterling Hall, leaving her homeless and penniless, he brings her to Remington Ranch to manage his household. His kindness makes Shaina beholden to him … and threatens to expose the secret that could destroy him.



Will trials and tragedies bring Sloan and Shaina together?

Or will secrets—and the cost of exposing them—drive them apart forever?


Yes, it's true: Once upon a time, best-selling author Loree Lough (literally) sang for her supper, performing before packed audiences throughout the U.S. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6-string to croon a tune or two for the "grandorables," but mostly, she just writes. (And writes.) Over the years, her stories have earned nearly 100 industry and "Readers' Choice" awards, 7 movie options, and over 80 4- and 5-star reviews.



There are more than 5,000,000 (yes, that's FIVE MILLION) copies of Loree's books in circulation, and in September of 2015, she'll have 108 books (fiction and non-fiction for kids and adults) 72 short stories, 2,500+ articles in print. To date, she has received 50,000+ letters from fans (a carton of books goes to Meredith P. in Joliet, IL -- which she has elected to donate to her local library --for writing the 50,000th letter)!



Loree loves sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry, and her comedic approach makes her a favorite (and frequent) guest of writers' organizations, book clubs, private and government institutions, college and high school writing programs both here and abroad.



A writer who believes in "giving back," Loree dedicates a portion of her income to Soldiers' Angels, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and other worthwhile organizations.



She splits her time between her home in the Baltimore suburbs and a cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, and shares both with her real-life hero Larry, who rarely complains, even when she adds yet another item to her vast collection of lighthouses, wind chimes, and "wolf stuff."


Tour Giveaway



$25 Amazon Gift Card

Print copy of Guardians of the Heart

Kindle copy of Guardians of the Heart (to be gifted through Amazon)

Open internationally

Ends August 29th

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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Howl's Moving Castle: A Review

Goodreads (description):

Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.



My Review:


I actually watched the movie before I read this book, but it turned out that there are actually very few similarities between the book and the movie. BUT! This is one of the rare cases where I absolutely LOVE both versions.

Howl's Moving Castle is about an annoying, egotistical, vain, pompous, childish, caring, handsome, and brooding wizard.

Sounds great, right?

Yes. It actually is!

The story is told in third persona and focuses on Sophie Hatter's point of view. In this fairy tale, the oldest is the most unfortunate and doomed to a terrible life. Sophie, of course, is the oldest of three girls. Once she is put under the curse by the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finally decides to do something for herself. I found it quite humorous actually. The moment the curse turned her into an old women, she went hiking up a mountain determined to find a great destiny.

Only, what she found was the infamous Wizard Howl. And oh, what a destiny she got.

This book is a little slow and very discreet, but if you pay attention to the details, you can see the story building itself. Had I not been paying attention (and hadn't seen the movie) the ending would have caught me by surprise. (Good thing I loved the movie so much that I hung on to every detail in the book, despite the HUGE differences between the two).

Needless to say, I learned a lot more about Sophie and Howl by reading the book. All the words I used to describe Howl are just his mask. He is actually a good person, even if he likes to pretend he's not. Sophie is also ambitious, kind, loving, and caring, even if she doesn't think very highly of herself. She is a genuine person--which is something I love to find in my characters.

Not to mention Sophie's grumbling and sarcasm make for some great laughs.

If you have seen the movie, I'm sure you'll love the book too. Turns out this book is the first in a series! I didn't know that until I started reading. I was actually pretty excited to hear about this, because I feel in love with the characters and want to know more about their future.

If you like old-style, fairly-tale-like stories, I highly recommend this book. It was such a fun adventure!

I give this a 4 out of 5!